Reweaver{40 s bench fixture

ABSTRACT

A fixture for assisting a reweaver in repairing damaged fabric has a base with an upstanding post on which a sloping plate is mounted for vertical and angular adjustment to support the fabric at a convenient, comfortable angle. Detachably mounted at the top of the post is a second sloping plate at a steeper angle, which serves as an easel and supports instructions, notes, and the like to assist the reweaver in his task. The easel can be replaced by a pin cushion. The base can have a sliding drawer or be formed with a pair of vertically spaced plates, between which is received a bench edge.

United States Patent [191 Durrant REWEAVERS' BENCH FIXTURE [76] Inventor: Norman .1. Durrant,'5360 Bushnell Ave., Riverside, Calif. 92505 22 Filed: July17, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 272,292

[52] US. Cl. 248/441, 248/125 [51] Int. Cl A47b 97/00 [58] Field of Search 112/103, 236; 248/125, 248/441, 449; 269/289; 38/1022; 28/15 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,932,478 4/1960 Krieger 248/125 1,929,278 10/1933 Hylander r 28/15 3,095,665 7/1963 Killen 248/449 1,649,340 11/1927 Delciello... 28/15 1,409,609 5/1922 Stockle 248/125 [451 Mar. 26, 1974 Prime IlitfiWY Jw n Attorney, Agent, or Firm l'lerbert E. Kidder 5 7 ABSTRACT A fixture for assisting a reweaver in repairing damaged fabric has a base with an upstanding post on which a sloping plate is mounted for vertical and angular adjustment, to support the fabric at a convenient, comfortable angle. Detachably mounted at the top of the post is a second sloping plate at a steeper angle. which serves as an easel and supports instructions, notes. and the like to assist the reweaver in his task. The easel can be replaced by a pin cushion. The base can have a sliding drawer or be formed with a pair of vertically spaced plates, between which is received a bench edge.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII PATENTEU MR 2 6 I974 SHEEI 1 OF 2 FIG. 1.

PATENTEUMARZS 1974 3799487 SHEET 2 0F 2 REWEAVERS BENCH FIXTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices used for assisting reweavers in repairing damaged materials, and more particularly to a fixture which supports the bulk of the damaged fabric at a distance from the operator and at the same time presents the damaged area to the reweaver in a convenient and comfortable position.

Heretofore, it has been customary to dispose a padded block, such as a brick or the like, on a bench or table, under the damaged portion of the fabric. A swatch of fabric is then placed over the damaged portion and the necessary repair performed. The swatch is usually obtained from another part of the same garment, such as the inside of a cuff, or the turned-back portion of a hem. This often necessitates loosening of a lining, which is restitched after the repair is completed. Thus, the reweaver finds it necessary to use a variety of implements, such as needles, pins, scissors and the like. It is also necessary forthe reweaver to study the weave of the fabric or use instructional material or notes for properly relating the swatch thereto, so that the repair blends into the fabric and is unnoticeable. The cushioned blocks, although helpful, have not proved completely satisfactory because they do not present the damaged portion of the garment at an optimum angle for reweaving, causing the worker to hunch over the work, which results in cramped muscles and fatigue and adversely effects the perfection of the repair.

Moreover, in order for a reweaver to approach as closely possible to the damaged area of a garment, the bulk of the garment must often be held on the lap or against the body of the reweaver, adding to his discomfort ahd the difficulty of his work. Also, in the case where instructions or notes are required to be followed, it is often impossible to read them without changing position in order to pick them-up or place them in position for reading, thus necessitating frequent changes of eye focus which further adds to the fatigue of the reweaver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel fixture for assisting reweavers in repairing damaged portions of garments in a manner which minimizes cramped muscles and fatigue and maximizes the chances for a good repair job.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel fixture in which a padded member is presented at a comfortable, convenient angle for optimum support of'a damaged portion of afabric to be repaired, the fixture also providing ample space for support of the undamaged portions of the fabric, so that the repairer is not required to support the fabric portions on his body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture of the type described, in which a single upright post provides support for a padded member on which the repair is performed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fixture for assistance to reweavers, which additionally has an easel-like support for presenting instructional material. notes. and the like, at a convenient height and angle for reading, and which also provides receptacles for storing implements such as needles, pins, scissors, and the like, required in the repairing of fabrics.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a detachable pincushion which can replace the easel-like support in the case of a simple repair job.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the provision of a bench fixture including an upstanding vertical post on which a sloping support plate is mounted for vertical and angular adjustment, and carries a cushioned pad upon which the fabric to be repaired is supported at a convenient angle for the repair job. Detachably mounted at the top of the post is a second supporting plate, sloping at a steeper angle, and serving as an ease] to support instructions, notes, pattern design particulars, and the like, these items being presented at a convenient angle for assisting the repairer in the performance of his task. The easel can be replaced by a detachable pincushion. The post is mounted on a base which can take the form of a pair of vertically spaced horizontal plates adapted to receive an edge therebetween for fitting over the top of a bench, the bench preferably being fitted with a drawer for holding such implements as pins, needles, scissors, and the like, needed by the repairer inthe performance of a repair job. Alternatively, the post can be fixed to a base having a drawer therein for containing the needed implements, the base being adapted to be supported on any suitable surface, such as a table or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bench fixture embodying the principles of the present invention, shown attached to the top of a special bench;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the fixture of the present invention, the bench to which it is attached being fragmentarily shown in section;

FIG. 3 is an elevational perspective which shows the vertical post and inclined fabric-support plate and illustrating the angular adjustability of the plate for supporting the fabric at an optimum angle for the repair job at hand;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a pincushion adapted to be detachably connected atop the vertical post in place of the easel-like support plate;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the post, showing the pin-cushion attached to the top thereof, and a cushion pad associated with the fabric-support plate; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a modified form of the bench fixture of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a bench fixture l0, embodying the principles of the present invention, and including a vertical post 12 on which is mounted a first inclined support plate 14 and a second inclined support plate 16. The lower end of the post is secured to a base 18, adapted to be fitted to a bench B which has a concave edge E and a drawer D.

As better seen in FIG. 2, the base 18 is made up of a pair of horizontal plates 20 and 22, vertically spaced apart by means of a block 24 and receiving the bench edge E therebetween, the plate 22 passing through a slot S in the bench B. The plate 116 is attached to the top of the vertical post 12 by means of dowel pins 26 inserted in bores 28 formed in the top of the post. The plate 16 is inclined at a substantially steep angle and serves as an easel, as shown in FIG. 1, for supporting notes or instructional material M concerning the pattern of reweaving fabric to be repaired, or other design particulars thereof. Plate 14 is adapted to support the fabric to be repaired, and is also inclined, but at an angle and height which is convenient for the person performing the repair. Also, provision is made for varying the angle and height of fabric support plate 14. To this end, there is provided a plate 30, which is connected to the plate 14 at an angle, and has a surface 32 which engages the post 12. The post is provided with a longitudinal slot 34, better seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.

Passing through plate 30 and slot 34 is a clamping screw 36, which is threadedly engaged by a hand nut 38, engaging the back side of the post, for clamping the plate 30 and the fabric-support plate 14 carried thereby to the post at any desired adjusted position along the length of the slot and at any convenient angle angularly adjusted about the axis of the screw, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

For simpler repair jobs, the instruction material M may be unnecessary, in which case the easel plate 16 can be detached and replaced by a pincushion 40 which is mounted on a support block 42 having projecting dowel pins 44, as shown in FIG. 4, the dowel pins being insertable in the bores 28 in the upper end of the post 12. The pincushion is adapted to support pins P or other implements'such as needles, scissors and the like. Alternatively, such implements, needed by the repairer for the task at hand, can be housed in the drawer D of the bench.

In order that the damaged portions of the fabric to be repaired may be presented to the repairer in the position best suited for him, it is preferred that such portion of the fabric be supported on a cushion pad 46, to the underside of which is attached a piece of fabric 48, for defining a pocket adapted to receive the fabric-support plate 14, as shown in FIG. 5, the plate 14 narrowing down at its point of attachment to plate 30, as at 50, for assisting retention of the cushion pad on the plate.

It is believed that the operation of the bench fixture of the present invention is clearly apparent, and is briefly summarized at this point. A fabric-support plate 14 with a cushion pad 46 attached thereto is adjusted to the optimum angle and height as necessary or desirable. Either the easel-like plate with instructional material M thereon is mounted atop the vertical post 12, or the pincushion 40 is employed instead. The fabric to be repaired is placed with the damaged portion thereof over the cushion pad, and the remainder of the fabric is disposed on the bench B. Repair work on the fabric is performed, the angle and height of the support plate 14 being adjusted optimally as the repair work requires.

FIG. 6 illustrates a reweavers bench fixture 10' which is selfcontained, and adapted to rest on the top ofa table or bench or other suitable supporting surface. Fixture 10 is similar in all respects to the fixture 10 previously described, except that it has a base 18 which is box-like in configuration and has a drawer 52 adapted to hold implements, such as pins, needles, scissors, and the like, required by the reweaver in the performance of his work.

There has thus been provided a reweavers bench fixture of inexpensive and simple construction which operates in a reliable manner to support the damaged portion of a fabric at an optimum angle and height for the reweaver, thereby minimizing fatigue and maximizing opportunities for an excellent repair job.

Although the fixtures of the present invention have been herein described inconsiderable detail in what are believed to be the preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that many variations thereof are possible, and'the present invention is not to be limited by such details, but is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fixture for supporting a fabric having a damaged portion requiring repair, comprising:

a base having an upstanding structure;

a fabric support mounted on the structure for adjustment longitudinally thereof, and having a supporting surface extending downwardly away from the structure at a convenient working angle; and

an easel-like plate detachably mounted atop the upstanding structure and disposed at a steeper angle than the support surface, said plate being adapted to support instructions, notes and the like pertaining to the repair job at hand.

2. The fixture of claim 1 further including a pincushion detachably mounted atop the said upstanding structure in place of said easel-like plate, for supporting pins and needles used in the repair job.

3. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the base includes a horizontal plate, the upstanding structure is a vertical post, the support has angularly related portions one of which has a surface slidably engaging the post, and clamping means interconnecting said one portion and the post for securing said last-named surface to the post, and for selectively adjusting the position of said supporting surface of the fabric support.

4. A fixture as in claim 3, wherein said support is attached to said vertical post by means of a clamping pivot bolt extending horizontally through an elongated vertical slot in the post, said support being slidable vertically to adjust the height thereof and being rotatable about said clamping pivot bolt to adjust the angular position thereof. 

1. A fixture for supporting a fabric having a damaged portion requiring repair, comprising: a base having an upstanding structure; a fabric support mounted on the structure for adjustment longitudinally thereof, and having a supporting surface extending downwardly away froM the structure at a convenient working angle; and an easel-like plate detachably mounted atop the upstanding structure and disposed at a steeper angle than the support surface, said plate being adapted to support instructions, notes and the like pertaining to the repair job at hand.
 2. The fixture of claim 1 further including a pincushion detachably mounted atop the said upstanding structure in place of said easel-like plate, for supporting pins and needles used in the repair job.
 3. The fixture of claim 1, wherein the base includes a horizontal plate, the upstanding structure is a vertical post, the support has angularly related portions one of which has a surface slidably engaging the post, and clamping means interconnecting said one portion and the post for securing said last-named surface to the post, and for selectively adjusting the position of said supporting surface of the fabric support.
 4. A fixture as in claim 3, wherein said support is attached to said vertical post by means of a clamping pivot bolt extending horizontally through an elongated vertical slot in the post, said support being slidable vertically to adjust the height thereof and being rotatable about said clamping pivot bolt to adjust the angular position thereof. 